PTA suspends mobile phone and internet services in parts of Balochistan – Pakistan

QUETTA: The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) on Friday announced the government’s decision to suspend internet and mobile services with immediate effect in many districts of Balochistan to ensure public safety, in the wake of terrorist attacks in the province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Both provinces have recently suffered a series of terrorist attacks, resulting in the loss of more than 70 lives in various parts of Balochistan in the past three months.

According to the authorities concerned 26 people were killed and 62 were injured in a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station on November 9.

“The general public is hereby informed that following the directives of authorized departments, mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in certain parts of Balochistan,” the statement said.

Says the temporary suspension is to ensure public safety

However, the PTA did not mention the areas in Balochistan where mobile and internet services have been suspended.

According to reports, mobile and internet services have been suspended in several areas of Makran, Awaran, Chagai, Kharan, parts of Khuzdar, Kalat, Bolan, Harnai, Duki and some other areas where acts of terrorism have increased in recent weeks.

“To ensure public safety and security, mobile and internet services have been suspended,” the PTA said.

On the other hand, Balochistan government decided a provincial action plan to significantly improve governance and security across the province.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan earlier briefed a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sarfraz Bugti about the proposed plan.

The Chief Secretary said that a comprehensive strategy is being developed to effectively combat cases of terrorism, crime, extortion and smuggling, with emphasis on strengthening enforcement measures.

Published in Dawn, November 16, 2024